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Wednesday, 18 November 2015

The understated roles of Russell Crowe

An Oscar winner, renowned for his
tough-guy roles, Russell Crowe is no stranger to the Hollywood
blockbuster. Despite his early acclaimed work in films such as Romper
Stomper and LA Confidential, his heroic performance in Gladiator
showed that he was capable of tackling a nuanced character in an
action-packed environment, establishing him as a bonafide A-list
actor. The iconic movie opened doors, allowing him to display his
versatility in character studies and low key fare, such as A
Beautiful Mind and State Of Play, which showcased a more reserved,
but no less powerful Crowe. Fathers and Daughters sees him in his
latest role, playing a Pulitzer-winning novelist and widower,
struggling with mental illness as he tries to raise his 5-year old
daughter.

The film is packed with acting talent
such as Amanda Seyfried (Lovelace), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Jane
Fonda (Klute), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Octavia Spencer
(The Help) and Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts Of The Southern Wild), and
to celebrate the release, we take a look at some of Russell Crowe’s
most understated roles.

Cinderella Man (2005)

The story of a washed-up boxing
champion, Cinderella Man saw Russell Crowe playing blue-collar hero
James Braddock. Struggling to keep a job in the Great Depression and
unable to pay the bills, the ex-prizefighter is at rock bottom, but
is offered one last chance to keep his family together and make his
dream come true. Inspired by the true story of a sporting legend,
Crowe’s journey from rags-to-riches is one that remains a real
treat for film fans.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

A performance sitting in the shadows of
his other well-known Western, The Quick and the Dead, 3:10 to Yuma
sees Crowe as small-time rancher Ben Wade in this underrated battle
of wills. Finding himself on a hazardous journey filled with ambushes
by Indians, Wade’s demeanor is both convincing and stealthy in this
intense, yet underestimated ride.

Body of Lies (2008)

Receiving mixed reviews, Crowe helped
to bring this otherwise unexceptional film to note, with praise for
stellar performances from its leading men. Standing alongside
Leonardo DiCaprio, Body of Lies saw the pair elevate the conventional
political thriller, hatching a complicated plan to capture the cleric
who led a group placing bombs all over Europe. Swapping his physical
dominance for one where his strength lies with intelligence, Crowe’s
brain was shown to be more powerful than his brawn in this modest
role.

The Next Three Days (2010)

While the critical consensus stated
Crowe’s performance to be solid, The Next Three Days remains a film
unrecognised within his impressive collection. The story of John
Brennan, who becomes obsessed with finding a way to break his wife
out of jail when she is convicted of murder, Crowe showed great
versatility as he moves from passive professor, to determined
husband, to calculated mastermind in this fast-paced thriller.

Fathers and Daughters (2015)

Drawn to a script of such
tenderness as Fathers And Daughters, Crowe was taken by the simple
story of a parent-child relationship and the complications that can
arise from life to tear it apart.

Playing a widower,
novelist and loving father resolutely trying to raise his daughter as
he fights mental illness, he brings a truly moving performance to an
understated, character piece and, despite the wealth of acting talent
around him, is the heart of the film.